News from July 30, 2012

July 30, 2012

Saco voters face question on split from RSU 23

Dayton will answer a similar question Aug. 13. The school district will vote on the budget Tuesday.

July 30, 2012

Buchholz and Pedroia carry Red Sox past Tigers 7-3

Dustin Pedroia hit a tiebreaking homer to support Clay Buchholz's eight solid innings, as the Red Sox won their third straight game.

July 31, 2012

Romney's 'culture' remark angers Palestinians

Mitt Romney, Ann Romney The GOP nominee said "culture" was the reason Israelis make more than Palestinians, but economists say Israel's restrictions on Palestinian trade and movement is the largest reason for the discrepancy.

July 30, 2012

Blimey, seems we've lost the stadium keys

London police acknowledged Monday that last week they lost a set of keys to Wembley -- one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world and an Olympic venue in London.

July 30, 2012

Young trailblazers find challenge in New England woods

Seventy students help to build and repair trails in five states for a nonprofit conservation group.

July 30, 2012

'For such a busy park,' Acadia has few fatalities

 Before Shirley Ladd fell to her death Saturday, it had been 27 years since someone died while hiking the Precipice Trail — one of Acadia's most dangerous hikes.

July 31, 2012

HAY! What's that for?

This head-turning Portland sculpture is headed across the country as a traveling art exhibit.

July 30, 2012

Portland Water District makes donation to help preserve land near Sebago

The $5,000 will be used by Loon Echo Land Trust to explore ways to increase land preservation efforts

July 30, 2012

Feature obituary: William Butler, 89, one of a kind in business and to family

 The first thing said about William Butler was that everyone in town knew him. For the most part, that's true.

July 30, 2012

Hundreds in Westbrook lose power after car hits pole

Saco Street was closed for more than four hours following Monday's crash.

July 30, 2012

New England, Canada vow energy cooperation

A conference in Vermont focuses on efforts to improve the production and use of clean energy.

July 30, 2012

Author acknowledges fake Bob Dylan quotes, resigns

A staff writer for The New Yorker has resigned and his best-selling book has been halted after he acknowledged inventing quotes by legendary musician Bob Dylan.

July 31, 2012

Obama could be descended from African slave

It appears President Obama is descended from an African slave, but genealogists say the link is actually through his white mother.

July 30, 2012

Louisiana to Maine: You can keep stolen police cruiser

A Louisiana sheriff's department has told a Maine city to keep an unmarked police cruiser that was driven 1,800 miles by a jail escapee.

July 30, 2012

Man's dying wish for $500 tip inspires charity

As Seth Collins finished his penne pasta, he called over the waitress to fulfill his brother's dying wish . . .

July 30, 2012

Boy shot by father remains in critical condition

The 9-year-old boy's sister and father both died in an apparent murder-suicide.

July 31, 2012

Democratic Party to formally back gay marriage

The Democratic Party will include support for gay marriage in its official platform for the first-time ever — a major milestone for gay rights advocates.

July 30, 2012

Mumford & Sons' Lovett to deejay at Portland afterparty

Five official afterparties to follow Mumford & Sons' Portland concert have been announced, with a promise of “special guests” at each.

July 30, 2012

Freeport picks new town manager

Peter Joseph, town manager of Lincoln, N.H., will replace Dale Olmstead, who is retiring after 30 years.

July 30, 2012

Heartwood College of Art to host meeting about proposed charter school

College officials want to establish the first charter school in Maine focused on the arts.

July 30, 2012

Charges give Colo. prosecutors sentencing options

For the murder charges, one count included murder with deliberation, the other murder with extreme indifference. Both carry a maximum death penalty upon conviction.

July 30, 2012

Feds to spend $2.4M on Maine ferry improvements

Ferry services in Portland and Frenchboro will benefit.

July 30, 2012

Swiss Olympic team expels player for racist tweet

The comments by Michel Morganella, a soccer player, came hours after Switzerland lost to South Korea.

July 30, 2012

Natural gas resumes 3-month surge on hot weather

Natural gas was cheaper than coal from February to May, making it the preferred fuel source for many utilities. If that changes, utilities will likely burn more coal.

July 30, 2012

Colo. shooter faces 24 murder charges, 116 counts attempted murder Several photos included in this story

Each murder count carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty.

July 30, 2012

Scarborough committee to discuss ban on puppy mill puppies

A citizens' group asked town officials to consider a local ban on sales of puppies and kittens in local stores.

July 30, 2012

Businesses defend King against new attack ad

Local business leaders say the ad, which criticizes Angus King's spending record as governor, is off the mark.

July 30, 2012

Secretary of State announces ballot question order

Question 1 will ask voters if they want to allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses.

July 30, 2012

Conservation group sprucing up New England trails

A nonprofit group called the NorthWoods Conservation Corps is working to repair trails primarily in northern Vermont and New Hampshire.

July 30, 2012

Companies appeal PUC's 911 contract to FairPoint

Two companies whose bids were lower than FairPoint claim the contract award was unfair.

July 30, 2012

King to introduce business leaders opposed to attack ad

The $400k U.S. Chamber of Commerce ad attacks King for spending, mismanagement.

July 30, 2012

Formal charges expected today against Colorado shooter

Arguments over James Holmes' sanity will dominate the case.

July 30, 2012

370M Indians swelter after worst blackout in a decade

The outage affected a number greater than the population of the United States and Canada combined.

July 30, 2012

Maine high court upholds hypnotist sex charge

The Supreme Judicial Court last week rejected the appeal of Aaron Patton who was sentenced for gross sexual assault.

July 30, 2012

Save pennies at the pump

Maine prices for a gallon of gas are down slightly more than one cent this week.

July 30, 2012

Key role for Bill Clinton at Democratic convention

President Barack Obama personally asked Clinton to speak at the convention and place Obama's name in nomination, and Clinton enthusiastically accepted, officials said.

July 30, 2012

Maine buildings compete on energy efficiency

It is the third year that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has hosted the competition for the 'biggest energy loser.'

July 30, 2012

Candidates look to Americans abroad for campaign cash

Both candidates have been aggressively courting Americans living abroad at fundraisers held far beyond U.S. shores.

July 30, 2012

Phelps qualifies 5th fastest for 200 fly

"I'm pretty happy with that swim," Phelps said. "That's all I needed it to be."

July 30, 2012

New England governors, Canadian counterparts talk energy

Monday's meeting at a hotel overlooking Lake Champlain lacked the drama of a series of protests on Sunday during which police in riot gear fired nonlethal projectiles at demonstrators.

July 30, 2012

Bangor Folk Festival program announced - listen to performers

The festival will take place Aug. 24-26.

July 30, 2012

Brewer health center joins 'accountable care' movement

Health care providers at Penobscot Community Health Care will be reimbursed for quality of care.

July 30, 2012

Roundabout being eyed for Windham intersection

The Maine DOT will hold a public meeting Monday to get feedback on plans for River Road in Windham.

July 30, 2012

Falmouth considers putting a lid on big boxes Several photos included in this story

A zoning amendment would limit the footprint of new or expanded buildings

July 30, 2012

Students' readiness for college a U.S. issue

Paul LePage Maine education leaders acknowledge the problem, but question Gov. LePage's idea to make high schools pay for their graduates' remedial college courses.

July 30, 2012

Blueberries grow like wild this year

 While cultivated berries have been hit by bad weather, Maine's wild crop should bring good prices.

July 30, 2012

Food-borne illnesses keep making U.S. sick

A CDC report frustrates consumer advocates who pushed for passage of a landmark food-safety bill.

July 30, 2012

Dispatches



July 30, 2012

New NOAA leader undaunted by fishery's tough time

 John Bullard says he can make a difference in the future of the industry.

July 30, 2012

Teen finds hardship, success on Mississippi

 Benton Purnell of Oakland paddles the length of the river, mostly alone, on his 'summer adventure.'

July 30, 2012

Bay State father shoots his two kids, kills himself

A man who had recently separated from his wife shot his two children, killing his 7-year-old daughter, before committing suicide, prosecutors said.

July 30, 2012

Election 2012: 100 days to go; stakes are high

It may seem like an election for the whole nation, but only about eight states will decide who wins the White House.

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